[Provisional translation]
September 7, 2023
Ministry of Defense
Defense Ministers and Secretary of Defense from Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK), held a teleconference on Thursday, September 7.
Japanese Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and ROK Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-Sup discussed the situation of North Korea, including the launch on August 24 which used ballistic missile technology and the latest launch of ballistic missiles on August 30, and the strengthening of the trilateral defense cooperation.
The representatives strongly condemned these launches, to be in violation of the relevant United Nation Security Council Resolutions that prohibit North Korea’s launching of any missiles using ballistic missile technology. Further, the Ministers discussed North Korea’s actions as threatening the peace and security of the region and the international community.
In addition, with regard to real-time sharing of missile warning data on North Korea, they underscored ongoing efforts to further accelerate operationalizing the trilateral mechanism initially and to fully activate the mechanism by the end of 2023, as pledged at the Shangri-La Dialogue. Furthermore, the representatives affirmed that they would build and implement a multi-year exercise plan toward regularizing trilateral exercises, and discussed annual and multi-domain trilateral exercises in addition to enhancement of trilateral coordination of activities to address regional security challenges.
The representatives confirmed the importance of Japan-U.S.-ROK trilateral defense cooperation, and concurred to work together more closely, based on the outcomes of the latest trilateral summit meeting.
Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea Trilateral Defense Ministerial Call (PDF)